Mulling apparatus



May 14, 1940. v HUND MULLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 4, 1940- I E. A. HUND 2,200,825

MULLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1940. E. A. HUND 2,200,825

MULLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 14,

PATENT OFFICE MULLIN G APPARATUS Ernest A. Hund, Chicago, 111., asaignor to The Beardsley & Piper Company, Chicago,lll., a

corporation of Illinois Application September 14, 1936, Serial No. 100,631

13 Claims.

The present invention relates generally toapparatus for mulling or mixing granular material. More particularly the invention relates to that type of mulling apparatus which is used in a foundry or like establishment to mull, mix or recondition molding sand and comprises (1 a frame; (2) an open top sand retaining receptacle which is mounted on and supported by the frame and embodies a substantially flat circular bottom and an outwardly bulged side wall which is of substantially semicircular cross-section and is Joined to and extends upwardly from the outer margin of thebottom; (3) a plurality of balls whichare arranged to travel in a circular course over the bottom and around the side wall of the receptacle and are adapted during such travel to spin and eflfect the desired mulling, mixing or reconditioning of the sand on the receptacle bottom and between them andthe outwardly bulged side wall; and (4) a motor and speed reducing gearing for propelling the ballsin the aforementioned circular-course.

One object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of this typein which the mulling balls are slightly less in diameter than the outwardly bulged receptacle side wall is in crosssection and are mounted on the lower ends of substantially vertically extending shafts which are pivotally connected by brackets at their up- 3!) per end to a rotary cross-arm in the central portion of the receptacle so that they support the balls in such manner that during operation of the motor,they swing outwards by centrifugal force into a position wherein they are substantially concentrically disposed with respect to the outwardly bulged side wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus of the last mentioned character which embodies stop means between the brackets and the rotary cross-arm for limiting outward swing ofthe shafts so that during drive of the cross-arm the balls do not contact with the side wall of the receptacle and remain in a position where they are concentrically disposed with respect to the receptacle side wall.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus which comprises scrapers for scraping the mulled sand from the outwardly bulged side wall of the receptacle and moving it inwards onto the receptacle bottom and deflectors behind the plows for deflecting ,the sand outwards into the path of the mulling balls and effecting a secondary mulling action, and also comprises novel and improved-means forv supporting the plows and deflectors for conjoint rotative movement with the mulling balls.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of the type and character under consideration in which the outwardly 5 bulged side wall of the receptacle embodies an outwardly swinging door for permitting discharge of the mulled sand from the receptacle, and the deflectors serve in addition to deflecting the sand outwards into the path of the mulling balls to discharge the mulled sand from the receptacle when the door is in its open position.

In addition it is contemplated as one of the object of the invention to provide a mulling apparatus which is extremely efllcient in operation and is an improvement upon that which is described in and forms the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed concurrently herewith by Walter F. Piper, Serial Number 100,630.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present mulling apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and. are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view partly in plan and partly in cross-section of a sand mulling apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing the arrangement and construction of the ball type mulling elements and the manner in which they are suspended by the substantially vertically extending shafts for outward swinging movement in the direction of the outwardly bulged side wall of the receptacle;

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section through the portion of the receptacle which includes the door for permitting of discharge of the mulledsand;

Figure4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the door portion of the receptacle;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the scrapers for scraping the sand from the inner face of the bulged side wall of the receptacle;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the deflectors which operate during drive or operation of the apparatus to deflect the sand outwards into the path of the mulling balls and also to discharge the mulled sand from the receptacle when the door is open; and

Figure 'l is a detail perspective showing the manner in which the scrapers are mounted for conjoint rotation with the mulling balls.

The apparatus which forms the subject matter of the invention is primarily adapted for use in a foundry or like establishment in connection with the mulling, mixing. or reconditioning of molding sand, and comprises a frame 8, a sand holding or retaining receptacle 8, and a pair of mulling balls l0.

The frame is preferably of two piece design and consists of a cast metal base section II, and a cast metal top section H. The base section II is elongated and embodies at one end thereof a bed plate l3 for an electric motor l4. At its other end the base section II of theframe embodies a continuous wall I8 which extends upwardly and with the top section l2 of the frame defines a gear compartment I8. The top section |2 embodies a top wall I1 and a depending continuous wall l8. The latter rests on the upstanding wall l5 of the base section II and is secured in place by means of bolts l8 which, as shown in Figure 2, extend through out-turned abutting flanges 28 on the abutting margins of the two frame sections.

The sand holding or retaining receptacle 8 is mounted on and supported by the frame 8 and consists of a bottom 2|, a side wall 22, and an upstanding tubular member 23. The bottom 2| is circular and rests on the top wall I! of the top section |2 of the frame 8. Bolts 24 extend through the marginal portion of the top wall l1 and into the receptacle bottom 2| and serve to hold the receptacle in fixed relation with respect to the frame. The tubular member 23 is centrally disposed with respect to the side wall 22 and is formed integrally with the bottom 2|. The lower end of said tubular member is flared and embodies a substantially quadrantally curved outer surface 25 which joins the top face of the bottom and serves to "direct the sand which accumulates in, or is drawn toward, the central portion of the receptacle outwards onto the receptacle bottom 2|. The upper end of the tubular member 23 projects a slight distance above the upper edge or margin of the side wall of the receptacle. The side wall is substantially semicircular in cross-section and joins the top face of the receptacle bottom 2| in a gradual curve. The inner face of the side wall is slightly greater in diameter than the mulling balls l8. An infundibular orfunnel-shaped mouth 28 for receiving sand and directing it into the receptacle for mulling purposes is connected to and formed integrally with the upper margin of the side wall 22. Preferably the receptacle is in the form of a metallic casting. In order to permit of ready discharge of mulled sand from the receptacle, a door 2! is formed in the side wall of' the receptacle. This door is.shaped conformably to, and forms a part of, the outwardly bulged receptacle side wall and is hinged at the upper end thereof so that it may be swung outwards as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings. The hinged connection whereby the door is pivotally supported comprises a pair of lugs 28 on the upper margin of the door, a pair of lugs 29 on the lower portion of the receptacle side wall, and a rod 38. The lugs 28 are positioned outwardly of, and in substantially abutting relation with, the lugs 28, and the rod 38 extends through aligned holes in the lugs 28 and 28. The latch 3| serves to hold the door in its closed position. This latch is in the form of a bar and is pivotallysupported at the central portion thereof by means of a bolt 32 which fits within an internally threaded socket 33 in the central portion of the door. The ends of the latch are adapted to coact with a pair of hookshaped members 34 and 38. The member 34 faces downwardly and is formed as an integral part of one of the lugs 28 at one side of the door. The hook-shaped member 35 is located at the other side of the door and is secured to the side wall of the receptacle in such manner that it extends upwards. When the door is in its closed position and it is latched in place the latch 3|, as shown in Figure 4, extends horizontally and the ends thereof fit respectively in the hook-shaped members 34 and 35. To release the door it is only necessary to rotate the latch so as to disengage the ends thereof from the members 34 and 38. The latch 3| together with the hook shaped members 34 and 35 constitutes simple means for releasably securing the door in its closed position. In order to protect and form a housing for the side wall of the receptacle a cylindrical metallic skirt is provided. This skirt surrounds the receptacle side wall and is welded or otherwise fixedly secured at the upper margin thereof to the mouth 28. The lower end of the skirt embodies an inturned flange 31 which is fixed to the outer edge of the receptacle bottom 2|. A rectangular opening 38 is formed in the skirt in order to permit of manipulation of the latch 3| and outward swinging of the door 21.

The mulling balls III are preferably two in number. They comprise metallic cores 38 and solid rubber coverings 48 and are mounted on the lower ends of a pair of substantially vertically extending shafts 4|. The shafts, as shown in the drawings, extend through the cores 38 of the balls and have at their lower ends bolts 42 which engage the bottom portions of the cores 39 and prevent downward movement of the balls with respect to the shafts. The upper ends of the shafts are connected by roller bearings 43 to a pair of brackets 44 which, as shown in Figure 2, are pivotally connected by horizontally extending pins 45 to the. outer ends of a cross-arm 46 so that they, together with the shafts and mulling balls, are free to swing radially with respect to the sand holding or retaining receptacle 8. The cross-arm 48v is fixedly connected, as hereinafter'described, to the upper end of a vertically extending shaft 41 which extends through the tubular member 23 of the receptacle and is driven,- as hereinafter described, so as to cause the balls ID to swing in a circular course around the outwardly bulged side wall 22 of the receptacle. The roller bearings 43 are disposed in cylindrical sockets 48 in the brackets 44 and permit the shafts 4| to rotate about their own axes. As a result of this arrangement the mulling balls are free to spin or rotate during travel around the side wall of the receptacle. The bearings consist of upper sections 43' and lower sections 43 The upper sections 43' consist of outer races within the upper portions of the sockets 48, inner races around the upper ends of the shafts 4|, and rollers between the races. and are arranged and constructed so that the shafts 4| are held against downward axial displacement with respect to the brackets 44. The lower sections 43 of the roller bearings consist of outer races within the lower portions of the sockets 48, inner races around the upper ends ofthe shafts 4| and roller bearings between. the inner and outer races and are shaped and constructed, as shown in Figure 2, so that they prevent upward axial displacement of the shafts 4| with respect to the brackets. The upper ends of the sockets 48 are closed by means of caps 49 which are fixedly secured to the top portions of the brackets. The lower ends of the sockets are closed or protected against the ingress of sand by means of caps 50 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the bottom portions of the brackets and support collars The latter, as shown in Figure 2, extend around the portions of the shafts 4| which are between the roller bearings 43 and the upper portions of the cores 39 of the mulling balls. The inner portions of the brackets are tubular in character and'flt within forks 52 at the ends of the crossarm 46. 'The pins 45 extend through and are journaled in the tubular portions of the brackets and fit within holes in the forks 52. In order to limit outward swinging movement of the shafts 4| and the mulling balls Ill, lugs 53 and stop screws 54 are provided. The lugs project upwardly from the inner tubular portions of the brackets and then extend inwardly into overhanging relation with respect to the ends of the cross-arm 46. The stop screws '54 extend through the inwardly extending portions of the lugs and are adapted when brought into abutting relation with the cross-arm to limit outward swinging of the balls. Lock nuts 55 on the upper ends of the screws serve to hold the screws in their various adjusted positions. By adjusting the screws vertically with respect to the lugs 53 the extent of outward swinging of the mulling balls with respect to the side wall of the receptacle may be controlled. By employing the lugs and stop screws the mulling balls may be controlled so that during drive of the shaft 41 in connection with operation of the mulling apparatus the balls do not swing outwards sufllciently far to strike against the bulged side wall 22 of the receptacle. The shafts 4| are inclined upwardly and outwardly, as shown in Figure 2, when the apparatus isat rest, and the balls are mounted on the shafts so that they are positioned a slight distance above the receptacle bottom 2|. When the apparatus is operated by driving the shaft 41 and causing the cross-arm 46 together with the mulling balls to rotate around the receptacle, the mulling balls in response to centrifugal action swing outwards towards the receptacle side wall and effect a mulling action that is, squeezing of the sand between them and the side wall of the receptacle. The halls are so arranged and the brackets are so pivoted that when the balls swing outwardly into their operative or mulling position they are substantially concentrically positioned with respect to the side wall of the receptacle. Because the balls are supported by the shafts 4| they are free to rotate while they are moved in a circular course within the receptacle. As the result of rotation of the balls and swinging of the balls in a circular course within the receptacle, the sand is effectively mulled. The solid rubber coverings 40 are spherical and fit over and around the cores 39. By reason of the fact that the covers are formed of solid rubber the sand is yieldingly or elastically gripped for mulling purposes during operation of the apparatus. By reason of the fact that the shafts 4| are upwardly and outwardly inclined when the apparatus is at rest the balls, when the apparatus is set into operation, swing downwards and outwards and then upwards toward the outwardly bulged lower portion of the receptacle side wall. Because of this action the sand on the receptacle bottom 2| is urged outwards into the outwardly bulged portion of the receptacle where it is sub- 6 jected to the mulling action of the balls l6. As

. a result of the fact that the balls rotate during travel in their circular course within the receptacle, the sand on the receptacle bottom 2| as well as the sand within the outwardly bulged lower portion of the receptacle side wall 22 is subjected to mulling.

The upper end of the vertically extending shaft 41 is provided with a polygonal stem 56 and embodies a shoulder 51 beneath the stem. As shown in Figure 2, the stem fits within a polygonal socket 58 in the central portion of the cross-arm 46 and form a driving connection between the shaft and the cross-arm whereby when the shaft is driven the cross-arm together with the shaft 41 and the mulling balls Ill is rotated bodily around the receptacle 9. The central portion of the cross-arm rests on the shoulder 51 and is locked in place by means of a cap 59 which overlies the central portion of the cross-arm and is clamped or urged in a downward direction by means of a bolt 60 which extends through the cap 59 and fits within aninternally threaded socket in the polygonal stem 56. The upper end of the shaft 41 is journaled in a roller bearing GI and the lower end of the shaft is supported and journalled in a roller bearing 62. The bearing 6| consists of an outer race within the upper end of the upstanding tubular member 23 of the receptacle 9, an inner race around the upper end of the shaft 41, and an annular series of rollers between the two races. The races and rollers of the bearing .are arranged and constructed so as to hold the shaft against upward axial displacement with w respect to the tubular member 23. The roller bearing 62 is constructed and arranged to hold the shaft 41 against downward axial displacement and consists of an outer race within a hublike member 63 on the base section II of the 5 frame 8, an inner race around the lower end of the shaft 41 and an annular series of rollers between the two races. The hub-like member 63 is disposed in the gear compartment l6 and is formed as an integral part of the base section m of the frame.

- The shaft 41 together with the cross-arm and the mulling balls is driven by the electric motor I4 through the medium of speed reducing gearing. This gearing is disposed in the gear com- 5 partment l6 in the frame 8 and consists of a bevel pinion 64, a bevel gear 65, a pinion 66, and a gear 61. The bevel pinion 64 is mounted on one end of a horizontally extending shaft 68.

The latter is journaled in suitable roller bearings 00 within a sleeve 69 between the base and top sections Ii and i 2 of the frame and is connected by a coupling 10 to the armature shaft of the elec-\ tric motor I4. The bevel gear 65 meshes with, and is driven by, the bevel pinion 64 and is keyed 65 or otherwise fixedly secured to a vertically extending shaft 1| which is journaled in and held against axial displacement by a roller bearing 12 and a roller bearing 13. The upper bearing 12 is mounted in a socket in the top wall ll of the 70 top section l2- of the frame and the lower bearing is mounted in a cylindrical socket in the base section of the frame. The pinion 66 is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the shaft 1| and is disposed between the bevel gear 65 and the is supplied with current it operates through the medium of the speed reducing gearing within the compartment I6 to drive the shaft 41 which in turn swings or rotates the cross-arm 86, the shafts ll and the mulling balls It.

In order to eifect aeration and a secondary mulling of the sand within the receptacle 8 and also to control the sand so that the entire bath or mass is subjected to the action of each mulling ball during each revolution of the cross-arm 48, a pair of scrapers 14 and a pair of deflectors I8 are provided.

The scrapers are located directly behind the mulling balls l8 and serve during drive of the cross-arm 48 to scrape the mulled sand fromthe, inner periphery or face of the outwardly bulged side wall of the receptacle and to project or direct the sand inwardly toward the central portion of the receptacle bottom 2|. They are mounted on the outer ends of a pair of radially extending angle iron bars 18 and comprise scraping parts I4 and sand projecting parts 14''.

The scrapers are preferably in the .form of plate metal stampings. The scraping parts 14' of the scrapers are positioned adjacent to the lower portion of the side wall of the receptacle and have the outer edges thereof shaped or curved conformably to the inner periphery of the receptacle side wall. As shown in Figures 3 and 5 the scraping parts of the scrapers extend from the bottom 2| of the receptacle to the funnel shaped mouth 28 and are curved or rounded so that during drive or operation of the apparatus they scrape the mulled sand from the inner face of the outwardly bulged lower portion of the receptacle side wall 22 and deflect it toward the projecting parts 14'. The latter extend inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the lower ends of the scraping partsfll and overlie the receptacle bottom 2|. They project at approximately 45 angles with respect to the angle iron bars 18 and operate to deflect or direct the scraped mulled sand toward the central portion of the receptacle bottom. The angle iron bars I8 are attached to a cylindrical skirt ll on the crossarm 86 by means of brackets 18 and comprise vertically extending webs 18 and horizontally extending webs 18 The webs 16" are formed integrally with the vertically extending webs and project laterally from the bottom margins of the latter; The brackets 18 are bolted against diametrically opposite flat faces on the skirt TI and embody flanges which lap the inner ends of the vertical and horizontal webs of the angle iron bars 16. Bolts 19 extend through the inner ends of the horizontally extending webs of the angle iron bars and 'serve to secure the bars in fixed relation with respect to the brackets 18. The scrapers 14 are fixedly connected to the outer ends of the angle iron bars 18 by a pair of angle brackets and a pair of angle brackets 8|. The angle brackets 88 are riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer ends of the vertical web 16' of the angle iron bars 18 and embody horizontally extending bottom flanges 80" which extend horizontally and are flush with the outer ends of the horizontally extending webs 18 of said angle bars 16. The angle brackets 8| embody vertically extending flanges 8| and horizontally extending flanges 8!. The vertical flanges of these last mentioned brackets fit against the inner face of and are riveted to the inner central portion of the scraping part 18 of the plow. The horizontally extending flanges 8| of the brackets 8| extend inwardly from the upper ends of the flanges 8| and underlie and are bolted to the bottom flanges 88* of the brackets 88 and the horizontally extending webs 18 of the bars 18. The skirt II to which the brackets 18 are attached is formed as an integral part of, and depends from, the central portion of the cross-arm 48 and surroiinds the upper end of the tubular member 23 of the sand holding or retaining receptacle 9.

The deflectors 18 are located behind the scrapers l4 and extend outwards from the skirt TI on the central portion of the cross-arm 48. They are preferably formed of plate metal and are secured to a pair of diametrically opposite flat faces 82 on the skirt 11 by means of angle brackets 83. The brackets, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, are bolted to the deflectors and also to the aforementioned flat faces 82.. The deflectors extend upwardly from the receptacle bottom 2! to a point adjacent to the mouth 28 of the receptacle and are angled so that they serve to deflect the sand outwards into the path of the mulling balls, and also to discharge the mulled sand through the door opening in the outwardly bulged lower portion of the side wall of the receptacle when the door 21 is in its open position. When the apparatus is in operation at a normal speed of approximately 90 R. P. M. the deflectors due to their size and shape fling the sand outwards towards the sides of the receptacle and effect aeration of the sand. By reason of the fact that the deflectors extend from the tubular member 28 to a point slightly inwards of the side wall of the receptacle the sand is so controlled that the entire batchor mass is subjected to the action of each mulling ball during each revolution of the cross-arm 48 and hence the sand is uniformly mulled. Aeration of the sand is attributable to the fact that the deflectors 15 project the sand outwards in a scattered manner and the sand is maintained in more or less 'suspension prior to being squeezed by the mulling balls.

When it is desired to mull sand with the apparatns, the sand to be mulled is shoveled or otherwise delivered into the mouth 28. The latter, as hereinbefore described, serves to direct the sand into the central portion of the receptacle 8.

When the electric motor I! is started by supplying it with electric current, the shaft 41 is driven through the medium of the speed reducing gearing in the gear compartment l8 and in turn drives the cross-arm 48., the shafts 4| and the mulling balls I0. During drive of the cross-arm the mulling balls move in a circular course around the inside of the receptacle and in response to centrifugal force swing outwards toward the outwardly bulged side wall 22 of the receptacle and mull the sand between them and said portion of the receptacle. During swinging of the balls around the receptacle they rotate and effect the desired mulling action of the sand or directed outwards in a scattered manner into the path or the balls. The apparatus is driven until the sand within the receptacle is mulled to the proper extent. At the conclusion of the mulling operation the door 21 is released and swung into its open position. when the apparatus is driven with the door open the deflectors 15, as hereinbefore described, force the mulled sand outwards through the door opening. By reason of the fact that outward swinging of the mulling balls ill and the resultant mulling eflect is due to centrifugal force it is manifest that when the apparatus is driven at a high rate of speed a more aggressive and quicker mulling action is obtained than when the apparatus is driven at a lower speed and the mulling balls, due to the reduced centrifugal action, are. flung or swung outwards against the outwardly bulged lower portion of the side wall of the receptacle with less force. Because the mulling action is attributable to centrifugal force and not the weight of the mulling balls the balls need not be extremely heavy and of solid metal.

The herein described mulling apparatus is extremely efllcient in operation and may be manufactured at a comparatively low and reasonable cost.

The invention is not to be understood as re- I stricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. v

Having thus described the invention what .i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the outer marginal portion of the bottom, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, a substantially vertical shaft connected to and depending from one end of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to said side wall, a rotary mulling element mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it travels in a circular course around the side wall of the receptacle and in addition spins or rolls and squeezes the material between it and the receptacle side wall, power means for driving the crossarm, and means connected to the cross-arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the element travels around the side wall substantially the entire mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said side wall into the path of the element and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the element scraped and deflected inwards.

2. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom and an annular outwardly bulged side wall of substantially semicircular cross-section, joined by a gradual curve to the outer margin of the bottom and extending outwardly and upwardly and then inwardly, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, a substantially vertical shaft depending from one end of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to the side wall, a freely rotatable substantially truly spherical mulling ball with a diameter slightly less than the cross-sectional diameter of the receptacle side wall,

mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it travels in a circular course around the side wall of the receptacle and in addition spins or rolls and squeezes the material between it and the receptacle bottom and between it and the receptacle side wall, power means for driving the cross-arm, and means connected to the cross-arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the ball travels around the side wall substantially the entire mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said sidewall into the path of the ball and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the ball scraped and deflected inwards.

3. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottomand an annular outwardly bulged side wall joined by a gradual curve to the outer margin of the bottom and extending upwardly and outwardly and then inwardly, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, asubstantially vertical shaft depending from the end of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to the side wall, a bracket connected to the upper end of the shaft and connected pivotally to one end of the cross-arm in such manner that the shaft extends downwardly and inwardly over the receptacle bottom when the cross-arm is at rest and is free to swing outwards toward the side wall of the receptacle when the cross-arm is driven, a rotary mulling ball mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it travels in a circular course and swings outwards over the receptacle bottom and towards the receptacle side wall in response to centrifugal force and also spins or rolls and squeezes the material between it and the receptacle side wall, power means for driving the cross-arm, and means connected to the cross-arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the ball travels around the side wall substantially I the entire mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said side wall into the path of the ball and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the ball scraped and deflected inwards.

4. ha mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptable adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the outer margin of the bottom, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, a substantially vertical shaft depending from one end of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to the side wall, a bracket connected to the upper end of the shaft and attached pivotally to said one end of the cross-arm in such manner that the shaft is free to swing outwards toward the receptacle side wall when the cross-arm is driven, ;a rotary mulling element mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it travels in a circular course around the side wall of the receptacle and swings outwards towards said side wall in response to centrifugal force and in addition spins or rolls as the result of contact with the material and squeezes the material between it and said receptacle side wall,

adjustable stop means for limiting outward cross-arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the ball travels around the side wall substantially the entire'mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said side wall into the path of the element and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the element scraped and deflected inwards.

5. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom and an annular outwardly bulged side wall joined to and extending upwardly from the outer margin of the bottom, a revolvable crossarm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle and having a fork at one end thereof and adjacent to the side wall, a. substantially vertical shaft depending from the forked end of the cross-arm, a bracket connected to the upper end of the shaft and having the inner portion thereof disposed within the fork and connected by a pivot pin to the bifurcations of the latter so that the shaft is free to swing outwards towards the receptacle side wall when the cross-arm is driven, a rotary mulling ball mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it travels in a circular course around said side wall and swings outwards towards the side wall of the receptacle in response to centrifugal force and spins or rolls and squeezes the material between it and the side wall of the receptacle, adjustable stop means adapted to limit outward swing of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm the ball does not contact with the receptacle side wall and comprising a lug connected to and extending upwardly and inwardly from the inner portion of the bracket and a substantially vertical screw extendin downwardly through the inwardly extending portion of the lug into contact with the base portion of the fork of the cross-arm and accessible from above for adjustment purposes, and means for driving the cross-arm.

6. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the outer margin of the bottom, a door in and forming a part of said annular side wall of the receptacle and adapted when opened to permit of lateral discharge of the mulled material from the receptacle, a rotary mulling element mounted to travel in a circular course around the interior of the receptacle side wall so that during such travel it spins or rolls in response to contact with the material and effects mulling of the material between it and said side wall, means for propelling the mulling element in said circular course, and a deflector connected for conjoint travel with the mulling element and arranged and adapted to deflect the material on the receptacle bottom outwardly into the path of the element during a mulling operation and also to fling the mulled material from the receptacle when said door is open for discharging p rposes. a

7. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially fiat circular bottom and an annular outwardly bulged side wall extending upwardly and outwardly and-then inwardly from the margin of the bottom, an outwardly swinging door in and forming a part of said outwardly bulged side wall and. adapted when opened to permit of lateral discharge of the mulled material from the receptacle, a mulling ball mounted to travel in a circular course around the side wall of the receptacle and so that during such travel it spins or rolls in response to contact with the material and effects mulling of-the 7 material between it and said side wall, means for propelling the ball in said circular course, anda deflector connected for conjoint travel with the mulling ball and arranged and adapted to defleet the material on the receptacle bottom outwardly against the side wall and into the path of the ball during a mulling operation and also to fling the mulled material from the receptacle 7 when said door is open for discharging purposes.

8. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and 1 comprising a. substantially flat circular bottom with an upstanding tubular member in the central portion thereof, and an annular outwardly bulged side wall joined to and extending upward- 1y from the margin of the bottom, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the central portion of the receptacle and provided at the central portion thereof with a depending skirt encircling the upper end of said tubular member, substantially vertically extending shafts depending from the ends of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to the side wall, brackets connected to the upper ends of the shafts andpivotallyattached to the ends of the cross-arm so that the shafts are free to swing outwards towards the receptacle side wall during drive of the cross-arm, rotary mulling balls mounted on the lower ends of the shafts and so that during drive of the cross-arm they travel in a circular course around the receptacle side wall and swing outwards to.- wards the side wall in response to centrifugal force and in addition spin or roll as the result'ofcontact with the material and squeeze the material between them and said side wall of the receptaele. means for driving the cross-arm comprising a vertically extending shaft extending through the tubular member and connected at its upper end to the central portion of the cross-arm,

and deflectors in front of the balls, connected to and radiating from the skirt and shaped so that during drive of the cross-arm they deflect the material on the receptacle bottom outwardly into the path of the balls.

9. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom with an upstanding tubular member in the een-. tral portion thereof, and an annular outwardly bulged side wall joined to and extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across theeentral portion of the receptacle and provided at the central portion thereof with a depending skirt encircling the upper end of said tubular member,

substantially vertically extending shafts dependll rotary mulling balls mounted on the lower ends of the shafts so that during drive of the crossarm they travel in a circular course around the receptacle side wall and swing outwards towards the side wall in response to centrifugal force and in addition spin or roll as the result of contact with the material and squeeze the material between them and said side wall of the receptacle, means for driving the cross-arm comprising a vertically extending shaft extending through the tubular member and connected at its upper end to the central portion of the cross-arm, and scraper type plows behind the balls connected by bars and brackets to the skirt and shaped so that during drive of the cross-arm they scrape the mulled sand from the inner face of the receptacle side wall and direct it inwards over the receptacle bottom.

10. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open top receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially fiat circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom, an outwardly swinging door in and forming a part of said side wall and adapted when. opened to permit of lateral discharge of the mulled material from the receptacle, a revolvable cross-arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, a substantially vertical shaft depending from one end of the cross-arm and positioned adjacent to the side wall, a bracket connected to the upper end of the shaft and pivotally attached to said one end of the cross-arm so that the shaft is free to swing outwardly toward the receptacle side wall when the cross-arm is driven, a rotary mulling element mounted on the lower end of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm it swings outwards and travels in a circular course around the side wall and also spins or rolls and squeezes the material between it and the side wall of the receptacle, stop means for limiting outward swing of the shaft so that during drive of the cross-arm the element does not contact with the side wall of the receptacle, means for driving the cross-arm, and a ,deflector connected to said cross-arm for conjoint travel with the element and arranged and shaped so as to deflect the material on the receptacle bottom outwardly into the path of the element during a mulling operation and also to fling the mulled material from the receptacle when said. door is open for discharging pur'pous.

11. A mulling apparatus comprising in combination a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially flat circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom, 9. revolvable cross arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle,

or roll and squeeze the material between it and the receptacle side wall,power means for driving the cross arm, and means connected to the cross arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the element travels around the side wall Y substantially the entire mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said side wall into the path of the element and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the element scraped and deflected inwards.

12. A mulling apparatus comprising in combination a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a substantially fiat circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom, a revolvable cross arm extending horizontally across the upper portion of the receptacle, an elongated member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross arm so that it is free to swing outwards toward the side wall, a rotary mulling element mounted on the distal end of said member and adapted during drive of the cross arm to travel in a circular course around the receptacle side wall and in addition to spin or roll ands-squeeze the material between it and the receptacle side wall, stop means between the member and said cross arm for limiting outward swinging of said member so that during drive of the cross arm the element is not in contact with said side wall of the receptacle, power means for driving the cross arm, and means connected to the 'cross arm for conjoint drive therewith for controlling the material so that during each time the element travels around the side wall substantially the entire mass of material is flung outwards in a scattered and aerated manner against substantially all portions of the inner face of said side wall into the path of the element and is then after squeezing and resultant mulling by the element scraped and deflected inwards.

13. A mulling apparatus comprising in combination a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and comprising a circular bottom and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom, a door in and forming a part of the receptacle side wall and adapted to .be swung open to permit the mulled sand to be discharged laterally from the receptacle, a revolvable cross arm in the central portion of the receptacle, an elongated member connected pivotally at one end thereof to the cross arm so that it is free to swing outwards, a

rotary mulling element mounted on the distal end of the member andsadapted during drive of the cross arm to swing outwards and travel in a circular course aroimd the side wall and also to spin or roll and squeeze the material between it and said receptacle side wall, stop means for limiting outward swinging of the element so that during drive of the cross arm the element does not contact with the side wall of the receptacle, and

a deflector connected to said cross arm for conjoint travel with the element and arranged and shaped so as to deflect material on the receptacle bottom outwardly into the path of the element during mulling operation and also to flins the mulled material from the receptacle when said door is open for purposes.

1 ma. HUND. 

